FORMER Test great Mal Meninga says the quartet of young debutants named in the Prime Minister's 13 side to play Papua New Guinea later this month will all become Test stars.Parramatta rookie of the year Jarryd Hayne, South Sydney's leading NRL tryscorer Nathan Merritt, Manly fullback Brett Stewart and Newcastle halfback revelation Jarrod Mullen were all handed their first senior representative honours with selection in Meninga's side to play the Kumuls on September 30.Hayne, aged 18, Merritt 23, Stewart 21, and Mullen 19, all enjoyed outstanding NRL seasons. North Queensland halfback Johnathan Thurston and forward Luke O'Donnell, Penrith's Craig Gower, New Zealand Warrior Steve Price and Wests Tiger Robbie Farah will push for Test selection for this year's Tri Nations series in the one-off match at Port Moresby.

AUSTRALIAN coach Ricky Stuart has hit back at claims from Tim Sheens that only one Wests Tigers player had been considered for the Kangaroos squad.Premiership-winning coach Sheens slammed the Australian Rugby League for failing to let him know where his players stood on the representative scene. Sheens has told radio station Triple M he heard a rumour only one Tigers player was considered for the 44-man national squad which went into camp in Bondi this weekend.But Stuart says that was not the case and added he thought he was doing the right thing by the Tigers by allowing their players to miss the camp as they prepare for the World Club Challenge. The Tigers fly out to England tonight for Saturday's (AEDT) clash with English champions Bradford after playing a trial match on Friday in the NSW town of Gunnedah.Stuart says ARL boss Geoff Carr had explained the situation to both Wests recruitment manager Warren McDonnell and chief executive Steve Noyce.

AUSTRALIAN Rugby League chairman Colin Love wants Kangaroos coach Wayne Bennett to explain his controversial return from the failed Tri Nations campaign in Britain.But Love has all but confirmed Bennett will retain the national coaching job despite leading Australia to its first series loss in 27 years. Bennett caused a furore when he slipped past waiting media at Brisbane airport last Thursday.Love says he was less than impressed by Bennett's actions and will discuss the matter at next Monday's ARL board meeting in Sydney.